Escarpment Trail Run 2016

With high hopes for a PR, I was a bit disappointed with the forecast for rain.  We have had almost zero precipitation since mid June.  So I guess it made sense it would rain today.

The previous three years I ran the Escarpment Trail it poured prior to the run only to stop once I started.  Last year there was also a complete downpour after the race.  My friend Ross took this as a means to shower and wash some of his clothes.  Today thought the rain would never stop.  This turned out to be a blessing.  Heat would never be a problem.  In fact, when I started to descend Blackhead, I got the chills.

I thoroughly enjoyed running in the rain.  I ran hard the entire way.  I had a major spill descending Blackhead resulting in a scraped elbow.  It was not fun because at the time I was having the chills.  I proceeded on slowly recouping my energies.  I had another close call on the descent of North Point.  This time I got caught on a root after I slipped and almost twisted my knee.

Despite the rain, I achieved a PR of 4:20.  Though it appears the rain had a mostly positive effect on the times (including mine).  It seems whatever is lost due to caution and slips and falls is more than made up by the lack of heat.  Heat and humidity is such a negative factor.  Still, I was quite pleased with my results.  I put in some real quality training and the work paid off.  I hope for another PR next year.